In my post, “The Case Against Morally Superior Journalists,” I pointed out that some journalists look down at PR practitioners. I then attempted to make the case that all people, in all professions, have to make difficult moral and ethical choices from time to time — and that PR people are not, as a class, morally inferior to journalists.

In the course of my argument, I offended some journalists with my candor about a few of the common practices in journalism, and my discomfort with these practices. I did not add (because I did not think I needed to) that PR people have to make difficult choices of their own — and that there are many common practices in public relations that I am personally uncomfortable with. I write about these practices frequently in this blog.

In my own experience as a PR practitioner, I have quit assignments, and one job, because of ethical concerns. The PR world is far from perfect, and I have been forced to make difficult choices in this business any number of times. In the end, though, this profession suits me better.

Oh, yeah: Why I Love Journalists.

I love journalists because they do extremely important work. I have been addicted to newspapers since I was a child, I read a dozen magazines every month, and I watch news — even infuriating 24 hour cable news — more than anything on TV except my beloved Dallas Mavericks and Miami Dolphins.

I guess it’s worth pointing out (as if I needed to) that without the fourth estate of journalism, our democracy could not function.

I also love that journalists are extremely passionate about what they do — and about defending their profession from insult, real and perceived.

OK…are we even now?? Yeesh!